Which term describes devices used in schools to display motion pictures before modern projectors?

• A. Educational Film Devices
• B. Magic Lanterns
• C. Kinetoscope
• D. Phonographs

Answer: (A)

Magic lanterns were the projection devices commonly used in classrooms before modern projectors. They worked by placing a light source behind painted or photographic slides and projecting the image through lenses onto a screen, allowing groups of students to view instructional images or simple slide sequences together. This setup made it possible to display visuals for teaching long before film projectors became standard in schools. The kinetoscope is an individual viewing device with a peephole, not projection to a screen. Phonographs handle sound playback, not visuals. “Educational Film Devices” isn’t a standard historical term tied to a specific classroom projection tool. So the term that best describes the devices used in schools to display motion pictures before modern projectors is magic lanterns.